IMPACT: Neighborhoods & Communities - Renaissance Block Grant

The IMPACT: Neighborhoods & Communities Renaissance Block Grant aims to revitalize neighborhoods in Erie County by combating blight and encouraging local investment. With a budget of $400,000 over two years, it provides financial incentives for property improvements, ensuring neighborhoods become more attractive and walkable. Eligible applicants include IRS-designated 501(c)(3) organizations and municipalities. By addressing housing blight and enhancing curb appeal, the program also seeks to boost the municipal tax base and support local contractors, fostering community growth.

To reinvigorate neighborhoods and main corridors, boost buy-local efforts, and combat blight. Current projects include Mission Main Street Grants, and the Corry Neighborhood Initiative pilot.
The Erie County Renaissance Block Program is a financial incentive-based program designed to address and reverse housing blight in Erie County and improve the curb appeal of a block, neighborhood, or corridor. The problems with deteriorating and code-deficient residential structures are well-documented and far-reaching. Several recent community planning efforts have recommended reducing blight as an economic development strategy including Emerge 2040, Erie Refocused, the Corry Neighborhood Initiative, A Citizen’s Action Guide to Blight, and the Erie County Housing Plan (a component of Erie County’s comprehensive plan).
Properties in poor condition can reduce the market value of adjacent homes, in turn, discouraging other owners from making investments themselves thus starting or continuing a cycle of disinvestment. For example, Erie Refocused authors estimate that $96 million in home improvements and routine maintenance is being withheld annually in the city of Erie alone due to poor market signals.
The goals of the Erie County Renaissance Block Program are to:
Remove housing blight and reverse deteriorationIncentivize and spur private investmentMake neighborhoods and communities more walkable, safe, and attractiveIncrease market value of homesImprove the municipal tax baseSupport local contractors and suppliers
Financials
A funding bucket of $400,000 for two yearsA maximum of $100,000 per application A maximum of $5,000 per property The grant requires a 1-1 cash match
Program Structure and Requirements
There are three zones of improvement in every neighborhood:

• Private propertySidewalkThe right-of-way between the sidewalk and curb

The Erie County Renaissance Block Grant (RBG) is a matching grant program that makes funds available to improve the functionality and curb appeal of these three zones. RBG is limited to $5,000 per property for eligible exterior repairs, permanent improvements, and streetscapes. However, funds can also be used to improve publicly owned property that is targeted to improve the block’s visual appearance. The RBG is available throughout Erie County, Pennsylvania.